Easy Hiking Food Ideas for Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Hiking is a fun activity that takes you to places that some may never see. Depending on the terrain you are hiking and if you have a heavy pack, you’ll need to prepare food-wise. Whether you are going on a day hike or backpacking for a week, it is important to have calorie-dense food to sustain you.

Multi-day hike food ideas

When you are packing food for a longer hike, you need calorie-dense meals that are lightweight. Try packing some of these backpacking food ideas for your next journey.

1. Dehydrated meals

Dehydrated prepackaged meals are the way to go for a multi-day backpacking trip. These meals aren’t bland like years ago—there are now options like chicken and dumplings, beef stroganoff, and even Pad Thai. Most of them just require boiling water with your camp stove, dumping it in the bag, stirring, and then sealing for a few minutes. 

2. Ramen noodles

Ramen noodles are easy to pack, quick to cook, and full of flavor. All you need to do is boil them for a few minutes on your camp stove and add the seasoning packet for a warming meal. Add some extra calories by adding shreds of jerky.

3. Macaroni and cheese

There are many styles of mac and cheese that are perfect for a long hiking trip. All options come with dried noodles, but some have powdered cheese packets while others have a liquid cheese packet. 

4. Trail mix

You can make your own trail mix out of ingredients like cashews, almonds, peanuts, raisins, dried cranberries, and some candy pieces for sweetness. Trail mix is perfect because you can snack on it while hiking. 

5. Date and peanut bars

These bars contain only 3 ingredients—pitted dates, peanuts, and chocolate chips—but they will keep you moving all day long. The mix of protein, carbs, and sugar gives your body the fuel it needs in a super nutrient-dense bar.

6. Oatmeal

When you need something warm and filling for breakfast, oatmeal packets are the way to go. Just add the packet to boiling water, and your meal is ready.

7. Meat and cheese

Packing shelf-stable cheese sticks or wheels along with some beef or turkey jerky adds variety to your day outside of bars and trail mix. Bring some whole grain crackers to make yourself some satisfying trail snacks.

8. Rice packets

These rice packets are traditionally microwaved at home, but you can cook them in a pan over your camp stove. They come in flavors like ginger lentil rice, wild rice, and broccoli cheddar rice.

9. Instant potatoes

Instant potatoes are another go-to when you want to add variety to your backpacking meals. Typically, you just need to add water to this dehydrated mix. Top them with some olive oil and dried spices. 

Day hike lunch ideas

If you are just going on a day hike, you can bring something delicious without worrying about its weight. 

11. Turkey avocado wrap

This wrap will give you the energy to finish out your hike. Simply place sliced turkey, avocado, cheese, and tomato in a whole-grain wrap and then wrap it in saran wrap. 

12. Pita pizza

If you are bringing your portable stove with you, you can make these delicious pizzas. Heat a pita on your stove then top it with pizza sauce, cheese, and any toppings you prefer, like pepperoni. 

13. Quinoa salad

This salad is perfect for a hike since it mixes whole grains with plant-based protein. Make this salad by cooking quinoa with garlic and onions and mixing in black beans, chickpeas, avocado, and lime juice. It is both tasty and filling.

14. Lox bagel sandwich

Start with an everything bagel and put on a layer of cream cheese followed by a layer of lox. Top the lox with capers and sliced onions. Wrap tight in plastic wrap, and you’ll have a delicious lunch.

15. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich

This sandwich isn’t just for children; it has the protein and carbs you need for hiking, too. You can make it fancy by using almond butter instead of peanut butter and a fancy berry compote instead of grape jelly. 

16. Taco salad

Make a taco salad out of black beans, salad greens, corn, onions, tomatoes, and avocado. Make a dressing out of avocado, lime, and olive oil, but pack it in a separate container. Combine the dressing and the salad when you are ready for lunch and use tortilla chips to eat it.

17. Hummus and veggies

Bring a container of hummus with you to enjoy while resting at the summit of the mountain. Pack sliced carrots, pretzels, and pita wedges to dip into it. 

18. Hard-boiled eggs

Boil and chill a few eggs before you go on your hike, and you can snack on them while you’re hiking. Top them with hot sauce if you like them spicy. 

19. Canned fish and crackers

Whether you like canned tuna, herring, or sardines, any of them make a protein-packed hiking meal. Just spread them over whole-grain crackers, and you have yourself a meal.

20. Charcuterie board

It is easy to make quite the charcuterie spread while on a hike. All you need to do is pack pre-cut meat and cheese and spread them out on a paper towel. Don’t forget the crackers!

Tips for packing hiking food

Try these tips to make sure you are ready for your hiking trip.

• Remove all excess packaging and take only what you need.
• Measure out all of your ingredients so you don’t have excess weight.
• Add extra calories to meals by adding olive oil or dehydrated meats.
• Bring dried herbs and spices to add flavor to bland meals.

What food should I bring hiking?

When you are venturing into the great outdoors, you want to bring food with you that is calorie-dense, nutritious, and most important of all, delicious. Try some of these hiking food ideas, and you’ll meet all of those requirements. In order to fill your pack, use the ingredients you purchased via Instacart. 

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